The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-05-26
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have 10 Say About
Their Old Campaigns
A New York Fifth Corps Man Ventures 10 MAX
Himself Known.

A New York Fifth Corps Man Ventures 10 Make
Himself Known.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: ] was much
pleased to read In recent issue the recollec-
lions of "Pontonier at the North Anna, and 10
know from outside and disnterested evidence
that such a corps rs the Fifth actually existed
and was really In a fight. j think the Fifth
Corps boys had become rather ratified by read
ing of the daring deeds and dag planting OF
other corps and stood dumbloundcd, with
mouths agape; for they used to think we had at
times done something of which to be proud,
but by comparison, in the light OF these days,
we began 10 think we were mere ciphers and
on thewrong side of the decimal " Pontonier"
has revived our courage and morale, aud now we
dare say, s. i belonged TO the Fifth Corps!
will begin where p0ntonier left of, and
finish the battle lie is a good deal like the
cavalry, stirring mp the hornets nest and loay-
ing the infantry 10 fight II out As he says, a
brigade lorded the river there, and as soon as
the bridge was laid battery crossed, then we
the second Brigade, Fourth Division, Fifth
Corps, commanded by Col. Hoffman. Of the 56th
Pa. and composed of the 10th and la7th N. Y.
and Seth Pa.-lollowed. The battery was com
manded by an old veteran, Capt. Mink, who,
although badly wounded IN the leg, rode with
his battery, carrying his crutehes with him.
The north side Of the river had high, steep,
wooded bank TO the waters edge the south
side not So high one, and then there was level
piece Of pasture land perhaps a mile long and
where we were about 25 rods across, and then
another high wooded hill The brigade that
iorded the stream went directly across and into
the woods on the hill. Our brigade crossed
about o'clock left IN front filed to the left
and halted la the open space as soon ms we got
over, parallel with the river We stacked arms,
and as we had made forced march since day
light and had not stopped for dinner. we were
tired and hungry SO we soon had our little fires
started aud coffee hot.
We were just ready to eat when +" fall in
came down the line, and they appeared TO be
In great hurry too. The men had their traps
of or straps l0osened to rest, and they had 10
pick them up and fix them ms they went. The
coffee was too hot 10 drink, so ] went along
with my cup in one hand and stick with piece
of ham on ii, about half cooked, in the other
could not bear to throw them away, as knew
not when j would get any more We marched
10 our right about the length Of the brigade
then faced TO the front aud made right half
wheel, 50 that our left nearly struck the woods
while our right rested on the battery near the
river While executing this movement a few
scattering shots were heard far up the hill in
the woods, and before the movement was COM
pleted here came a crash Of musketry, in fact
roar, from the woods on the hall, and soon out
came what was left OF the brigade like the
leaves of Autumn.
Our line was diagonally across the open space
as we expected the enemy from a point more
20 the right. The l47th y. Y. was on the left
and my company on It's left, close to the woods
Col Hoffman now drew back his left in a kind
OF backward half wheel till we got into a slight
depression which ran the whole length Of the
brigade, and were ordered TO lie down. for we
now knew from which direction they were
coming. Alter we crossed a host Of noncOmbat-
ants came Over-Chapiains Surgeons, servants
with pack mules, observation-disclosures and hospital
Httendants-and had squatted along the river
bank IN our rear and were enjoying themselves
eating and drinking, when the troops up in the
WOODS were so unexpectedly caught when that
crash Of musketry came. and at the same time
the artillery opened on both sides from the high
hills, firing over our heads. Pandemonium
rcigned and stampede of these for the other
side OF the river took place. The horrid Shrek
ing Of the shells over our hcads--which we
knew after the first discharge We're not directed
at us, and yet were not particularly soothing
even 10 an old veteran-added terror to their
fright and the river was soon damned with
mixed multitude. The water was over waist
deep and very swift. The current struck tho
sides Of the mules, heavily loaded with officers
ness-stuh and baggage, and they were carried
OF their feet, knocking down men and mules !;
drivers soldiers aud baggage were completely
mixed aud rolled over aud over in the river
Tor rods before they could separate and eXtri-
cate themselves. Some Of the mules were
drowned and much baggage lost.
Capt. Mink, OF the battery, seeing the fly
ing soldiers passing through our ranks, this
flight Of non-combatants. aud HofIman's left
falling back became little alarmed for his
battery, aud sent word 10 Col. Hoffman not TO
leave as he thought we could lick them
right there, aud TO reserve bis fire and give
him the first chance. Hoffman said he had no
thought Of leaving and only wanted to draw
them out Of the woods.
The rebels, in pursuing, came TO the edge OF
the woods, and seeing only the retreating
troops aud one battery, as we were lying under
the hlll poured out to capture the battery and
the troops before they could recrOss the river
But that little brigade Of three regiments aud
ono battery were veterans Of the Peninsula
hntietam and Gettysburg, and stood firm
Mink ordered his battery 10 load with threC
causteTs. aud waited tli they were well out ol
the woods and az close range, and opened
Then the brigade poured in It's murder0us vol.
ley and the havoc was awful. They halted
GstOunded, aud then fed in confusion firing
scarcely shot, and we after them for about
mile, when darkness stopped us and we halted
and threw up works. We took many willing
prisoners that night aud next morning.
One Of Mnk'g Lieutenauts was with the
Regular battery on tie bluh that Poutonier
speaks Of aud could easily look down and Sc,
"a a. the whole field was open 10 their view
but they could not depress their guns enough
- help Us. When they saw the rebels pOurinl
cut Of the woods on that one little brigade anc
one battery, they remarked That Is the las
Of the Old Man." But they did not know "a,
sold Man" and when has guns spoke the,
cooked up their ears and wondered what Ca
"Old Man had In his guns They had hcart
two, but never three canstcrs at a charge.
Grant says, "Ihe whole OF Hills CORPS wa
sent against MarTens right, aud struck hin
before he got into position" and here wa
where and when he struck him. This brigad
had been introduced 20 Hill July lst az Get
tysburR, and 20 received him most warmly q
this tlmo.--GEOReE HUGUNIH, Captain, Co. 4
1f7th n. y. battery, Syracuse, n. Y.
She Did Not Like the Color.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUEE: On the morn